Ohanaeze Ndigbo Declares Last Saturday of January as Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day
By Njenje Media News
Enugu, January 20, 2026 — Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has formally declared the last Saturday of every January as Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day, following a resolution reached at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The decision came after an appeal by the Igbo College of Bishops, led by Archbishop David Onuoha of the Owerri Anglican Province and Archbishop Sosthenes Eze of the Enugu Anglican Province, alongside other clerics present at the meeting. The bishops’ appeal, anchored on the spiritual symbolism of the observance, sought a review of an earlier resolution adopted by the Imeobi Ohanaeze meeting held on December 23, 2025, in Enugu, which had proposed the last Sunday of January for the annual celebration.
After deliberations, the NEC resolved that the observance be fixed for the last Saturday of every January, instead of Sunday. Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated that the Imeobi body would be formally briefed and the decision communicated at its next meeting.
Speaking at the NEC meeting, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, called on Ndigbo both at home and in the Diaspora to recognize and embrace the deep spiritual significance of the newly declared day. He described it as a solemn moment of collective gratitude to God for His enduring mercies and grace upon the Igbo nation, notwithstanding the numerous socio-political and economic challenges the people have faced over the decades.
“This day is meant to unite the Igbo people in humility, reflection, and thanksgiving to God, who has sustained us as a people,” Senator Mbata said.
Accordingly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has requested all churches across Igbo land to observe the maiden edition of the Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The observance will feature prayers, adoration, and thanksgiving dedicated to God.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation further called on all Igbo people, irrespective of denomination or location, to participate wholeheartedly and make the day a unifying spiritual landmark for the Igbo nation.
Signed:
Ezechi Chukwu, Ph.D
Publicity Secretary
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
